Priests react to bishop's news

By Renee Webb, Globe editor
January 22, 2004

The news of Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo's appointment as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston came with a mixture of sadness and good wishes for the future by the priests of the Diocese of Sioux City.

Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor of the Diocese of Sioux City, said that while he personally anticipated a move would be in Bishop DiNardo's future this particular assignment caught him off guard.

"I would have to say that his administrative abilities, his theological knowledge and his overall intelligence are his greatest gifts and I am sure the Holy Father recognized that," said Msgr. Sernett. "Bishop DiNardo is such an intelligent individual with a magnetic personality. He works well with people and really knows how to be a bishop."

The chancellor said he was grateful to Pope John Paul II for the number of years that the bishop had in the Diocese of Sioux City.

"He certainly has left his mark," said Msgr. Sernett. "This is a promotion for him and we wish him the best. Our prayers are with him. I know it will be a challenge for him to become the coadjutor for such a large metropolitan diocese but he will do it."

Father Paul-Louis Arts, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, pointed out that in his role he has had to work closely with the bishop.

As rector Father Arts saw firsthand how Bishop DiNardo welcomed and related to the Vietnamese and Hispanic communities. He believes this will be an asset for the bishop in his new diocese.

"I think he goes well-suited for the job," said Father Arts. "I wish him well."

Father Robert Schimmer, pastor at St. Patrick's in Sheldon, said he is sad to see the bishop go because he believes Bishop DiNardo brought a "real vitality to the diocese."

Along with being a great organizer, Father Schimmer pointed out that the bishop has become deeply involved and shown great concern for all aspects of diocesan life. As a member of the diocesan consultors, he worked closely with the bishop as the group met with him once a month.

Father Thomas Hart, pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda and St. Columbkille Parish in Varina, said it should be a good move for the bishop as it is a much larger diocese with more priests and parishioners.

"He will bring them good leadership and enthusiasm for the church," said Father Hart, who had the opportunity to work with the bishop as a member of the executive committee for the centennial campaign and the Globe board. "Along with his solid educational background, I think the priests and people will see his love for the church."

Father Roger Linnan, pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Spencer, said that Galveston-Houston's gain is the Diocese of Sioux City's loss.

"He did a good job here and he will do a good job there," he said. "The people of the Galveston-Houston Diocese will be graced by his wonderful liturgical style and powerful homilies."

Father Jim McCormick said it truly was a day of sadness for him when he received the word that the diocese was losing Bishop DiNardo.

"I really, really admire him and have always felt personally his wonderful leadership and personal concern for all of us - the priests especially," he said. "The people found him approachable and friendly."

Father McCormick described him as a gifted administrator and said he suspects the church needs his energy to run the huge Texas diocese. On a personal level, the Carroll pastor admired Bishop DiNardo's love for the church fathers.

Like many others, Father Dan Guenther, pastor at Holy Family Church in Emmetsburg, said he was more taken aback by the news but not necessarily shocked over Bishop DiNardo's new assignment. Father Guenther pointed out that he was in Chicago participating in a spiritual priestly formation program when he heard the news.

"With the tremendous sense of responsibility that the bishop is being given with this assignment, it certainly says a lot about him and how he has operated for our diocese," said Father Guenther. "I would say this is a real sign of support from our Holy Father."

In case his parishioners hadn't heard the news, he brought it up at the weekend Masses.

"I stressed that as a parish and as individuals we must very well be praying not only for him but for the diocese - for the Holy Spirit to be very much a part of the selection process and that the right bishop be chosen to lead us, to become our new chief shepherd of the diocese," he said. "No matter how long it takes or whatever may happen in between time, this calls for prayer."